Device for enabling cleaning of vacuum cleaner dust bags



' May 7, 1940. Q M, RICHTER 2199.859

DEVICE FOR ENABLING CLEANING OF VACUUM CLEANER DUST BAGS Filed Oct. 14, 1956 ax'fmi .ni-bum INVENTDR ELAHENL'E M HIL-:Hrm

BY WZL/Jima T-TRNEY #.15 ting the dust on her clothes.

Patented May 7, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE DEVICE FOR ENABLING CLEANING OF VACUUM CLEANER DUST BAGS Clarence M. Richter,l Syracuse, N. Y.

Application October 14, 1936, Serial No. 105,554

6 Claims.

i5 Wife to spread papers on the oor, remove the .dust bag from the vacuum cleaner and then shake the dust bag so that the contents thereof falls through the dust bag opening and drops on the paper. This manner of cleaning vacuum y110 cleaner dust bags is most unsatisfactory because Aa large portion of the dust is not only scattered over the iioor and throughout the room in which the bag is cleaned, but also it is almost impossible for the housewife to clean the bag without get- Moreover, it is very diiiicult, if not impossible, to thoroughly clean the bag Without turning the bag inside out, because the required vigorous shaking of the bag, when cleaned in the ordinary manner, scatters (-2'0 the dust in clouds about the room.

Some vacuum cleaner bags, notably those manufactured by The Hoover Company, are equipped with a metal ring through which the bag is attached to the vacuum cleaner. This metal ring @5 has a iiange at its outer periphery upon the side vedges of which the housewife may stand while holding the other end of the bag. Because the vopening in the bag is in direct contact with the paper and the other end of the bag is rigidly [50 held, the bag may be vigorously shaken. With this construction, dust is less likely to be scattered over the iioor and on the housewifes clothes. Moreover, the bag may be more thoroughly cleaned without turning it inside out be- ^35 cause of the more vigorous shaking possible.

' Although dust bags equipped with a flanged metal ring are easier to clean than those customarily found on vacuum cleaners, the operation is still a messy one. Some dust is bound to be scattered over the floor and on the housewifes shoes. "In addition, when the operation of cleaning the bag is completed and the bag is lifted from the floor, the dust is very likely to be disturbed.

An object of my invention is to provide a f4; device for facilitating. the cleaning of vacuum cleaner dust bags. Another object of my invention is to provide a device whereby the dust bag of a vacuum cleaner vmay be thoroughly cleaned with a minimum i50 amount of effort and without the likelihood of -the dust being scattered over the room or upon the clothes of the person cleaning the dust bag. Another object of my invention is the provision "of a device to which the vacuum cleaner bag may u 'be anchored so that it may be vigorously shaken.

rtion shown in Figure 1.

In addition, my invention contemplates the provision of means for facilitating the cleaning of dust mops without the necessity of. shaking the mop out of a Window.

More specifically, my invention contemplates ,1

the provision of a plate adapted to tover the top of a waste basket or dust receptacle, the plate having an opening therein and having means in connection therewith for rigidly securing the dust bag so that the opening therein is inregistry .10 with the opening in the plate, whereby the dust bag may be vigorously shaken so that the dust will fall into the receptacle.

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be more apparent from the following descrip. I15

tion when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

. Figure l is a perspective view showing my novel device for enabling the convenient and thorough cleaning of vacuum cleaner dust bags. .20

Figure 2 is a view taken on the line 2 2 of. Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a View taken on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view showing substantially the 25 device illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, with the exception that it is equipped with means for enabling the device to be used not only to clean vacuum cleaner dust bags b-ut also dust mops.

Figure 5 is a View taken on the line 5 5 of 7,30 Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a view showing a modified form of my invention.

The structure of my invention comprises a substantially flat element or plate II which may be -35 made of wood, as indicated in the drawing, but which is preferably a metal stamping.` The underside I2 of the plate is recessed, as indicated at I3, the recessed portions ,being cut somewhat on the arc of a circle of a diameter such that, 140

as indicated in Figure 3, the recessed portion fits over the top circumferential edge of a waste basket or dust receptacle I4, indicated in dotted lines. The plate II has a cut out portion I6 which is substantially rectangular in shape and extends :45

ifrom a point I'I adjacent one edge of the plate to the opposite edge. As indicated at I8, the side edges of the plate around the opening are grooved to receive tongues 2| formedin a slide member 22.

The end of the slide 22 is provided with a hand 50 hole 24 by which the slide may be conveniently hung from a nail. A pair of springs 26, secured,

at 21, to the plate I I and, at 23, to the slide, normally urge the slide 22 outward or into the posi- Secured to the under-` ,55

vso

side of the plate, as shown more clearly in Figures 2 and 3, in any suitable manner, is a bracket 29 which lies in the recess I3. At 3|, the bracket is bent upward to form an upstanding portion or flange 32 which extends above the upper surface of the plate Il. The portion 32 of, the bracket is formed on the arc of a circle and has its upper edge, as shown at 33, bent outward to form a substantially semi-circular lip.

Secured to the underside of the slide, as shown more clearly in Figure 3, in any suitable manner, is a second bracket 34 which is bent upward, at 36, to form an upstanding portion or flange 31 extending above the top surface of the plate II. The portion 3l of the bracket 34 is formed on the arc of a circle of substantially the same radius as that of the portion 32 of the bracket 29 and the upper edge is bent outwardly, at 38, to form a lip corresponding to the portion 33 of the bracket 29. The outwardly extending portions 33 and 38 of the brackets form conning edges which, when the dust bag of the vacuum cleaner, indicated at 39 in dotted lines, is placed .down over the upstanding portions of the brackets, firmly grip the inner cloth walls of the dust bag.

In operating the device thus far described, the plate I I is placed on the dust receptacle I4 so that the upper circumference of the dust receptacle lies in the recessed portions I3 of the lower side of the plate. Preferably, the edge 4I of the board is placed against a Wall or some other fixed object. The dust bag is then removed from'the vacuum cleaner. With the type of dust bag adapted to be used with the construction thus far described, the pin or closure which normally extends over the open end of the dust bag is then removed, there-by leaving the dust emptying end of the bag open and ready to be placed on the upstanding portions of the brackets 29 and 34.

The bag is then held in the hands with the open end upward and the knee is pressed against the outer end of the slide 22. With the edge 4I of the plate against a wall, the slide 22 may be pushed inward against the action of the springs 26 to bring the upstanding portions of the brackets 29 and 34 toward each other. The open end of the dust bag may then be slipped over the upstanding portions of the brackets 29 and 34 and pulled downward until the edge thereof, as indicated at 42, lies below the upper edge of the plate II. The slide 22 may then be released and the upstanding portion 32 and 31 of the brackets 29 and 34 will move away from each other under the force exerted by the springs 26, so that the open end of the dust bag is gripped and stretched taut between the outwardly extending portions 33 and 38 of the brackets.

The dust bag is thus tightly secured to the device and may be given a vigorous shaking so that the dust falls downward through the opening into the dust receptacle. Due to the fact that the lower edge of the dust bag lies below the upper edge of the plate, little likelihood of the dust getting above the plate exists. After the dust bag has been thoroughly shaken, the slide may be pushed inward and the dust bag carefully removed from the brackets 29 and 34 and, if desired, a brush may be used to thoroughly clean the open edge.

In Figures 4 and 5, I have shown a construction which, while essentially the same as that shown in Figur-es 1 to 3, is adapted for conveniently cleaning dust mops as well as vacuum cleaner dust bags. The plate is provided with a large, preferably square, opening 42 which is closed by a door or cover 43 hinged, as indicated at 44, to the plate II. The bracket 29 is rigidly secured to the cover 43 and the bracket 34 is rigidly secured to the slide 22. A stopI 46 is provided on th-e underside of the plate I I to limit the downward movement `of the cover 43, and a latch 41 is provided so as to retain the slide in the position shown in Figure 4. l

The device, when it is to be used for cleaning dust bags, is used as above described inconnection with Figures l to 3, and when it is to be used to enable the convenient cleaning of dust mops the latch 47 is released, whereupon the springs pull the slide 22 outward. The cover 43 may then be opened and the dust mop inserted through the opening 48. The cover 43 is then closed. The slide is then pushed inward and latched inthe position shown in Figure 4 with the handle o the dust mop extending through the opening 48. 'Ihe dust mop may be given a vigorous shaking without any appreciable portion of the dust escaping through the opening 48. When thoroughly cleaned, the dust mop may be removed by releasing the latch 4l which causes the slide 22 to move outward under the action of the springs. The cover 43 may then be opened to enable the dust mop to be removed 4from Athe dust receptacle.

As mentioned above, certain types of vacuum cleaners, notably those manufactured. by The Hoover Company, have one end thereottted with a anged metal ring, indicated in Figure at 5I. The metal ring is provided with a pair of curved projections 52 which are formedto receive the bolts of wing nut andbolt assemblies on the vacuum cleaner. In this m'odilicationQof my invention, the plate II has an opening 53 corresponding in diameter tothe opening inthe vacuum cleaner dust bag with which it is to be used. The plate is provided with a pair of bolts i 54 having wing nuts i'll'i.` Wheny the dust bag has been removed from the vacuum cleaner by releasing the wing nuts thereon, thebag maybe placed so that the opening therein is in registry with the opening 53 and the ring rotated slightly so as to bring the pair ofv curved projections into registry with the bolts 54'. The Wing nuts 56 may then be tightened down so as to rigidly secure the dust bag to the plate I I. 'I'he dust bag may then be given a vigorous shaking to cause thek dust to drop into the dust receptacle. modication of my invention may be equipped with a large opening adapted to be closed byA a cover to enable the convenient cleaning of dust mops.

If desired, this' While I have shown and described the preferred forms of my invention, it will be appreciated that, if desired, the plate may be rigidly attached to the dust receptacle and that various modications and changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my vinvenmember adapted to fit over the rim of the dust re,-

ceiving receptacle and substantially close the same against the escape of dust from the receptacle, said member having a large opening therein l and a cover hinged lto the plate for closing said opening, said cover having a second opening therein, a holding member connected with .the

plate and movable with respect thereto into and out of holding engagement with the cover for re,- leasably holding said cover in the closedpositiom and means including an element in connection with said cover for securing a dust bag rmly to said plate member with the opening in the dust bag in registry with the second opening of said member whereby the dust bag may be given a vigorous shaking to cause the dust to drop through said second opening into the dust receptacle.

2. In a device for enabling the convenient cleaning of vacuum cleaner dust bags and dust mops, a substantially fiat plate adapted to t over the rim of a dust receiving receptacle and substantially close the same against the escape of dust from the receptacle, said plate having a large opening therein and a cover hinged to the plate by which the large opening may be closed, said cover having a second opening extending inwardly from the free edge thereof and members adjacent said second opening to which a Idust bag of a vacuum cleaner may be secured, one of said members being connected with the plate and movable with respect to the other member and to said plate into and out of said second opening when the cover is in the closed position, and spring means for normally separating said members whereby when the dust bag is placed over said members the springs tend to separate said members and tauten the material of the dust bag around said second opening, said cover when open enabling a dust mop to be inserted therein with the handle of the dust mop extending through said second opening whereby the dust mop maybe vigorously shaken in the dust receptacle.

3. In a device for enabling the convenient cleaning of a vacuum cleaner dust bag, a sub-y stantially horizontal closure member adapted to it over the rim of a dust receiving receptacle and substantially close the same against the escape of dust from the receptacle, said member being provi-ded with an opening having at least two substantially straight parallel sides, means for securing a dust bag firmlyto said closure member comprising a pair of holding elements extending upwardly through the closure opening in opposed spaced relation to each other longitudinally of said straight sides, said elements being spaced from said straight sides of the opening a distance at least equal to the thickness of the dust bag at the open end thereof so that said end of the bag may extend downwardly around said holding elements into the closure member opening, and means including a spring associated with the closure member and holding elements for normally separating said elements whereby the dust bag is maintained taut around said holding elements and maintained in close proximity to the straight sides of said opening to prevent the escape of dust from the interior of the receptacle between the dust bag 'and said opening sides.

4. In a device for enabling the convenient cleaning of vacuum cleaner dust bags, a substantially horizontal closure member adapted to t over the rim of a dust receiving receptacle and substantially close the same against the escape of dust from the receptacle, said member having yan opening spaced from the marginal edges therestantially straight opposed sides, means for securing the dust bag firmly to said closure member comprising a pair of holding elements extending upwardly through the closure opening in opposed spaced relation to each other longitudinally of said straight sides, said elements being spaced from said straight sides of the opening a distance at least equal to the thickness of the dust bag at the open end thereof so that said end of the bag may extend downwardly around said holding elements into the closure member opening, means connecting the holding elements to the closure member whereby at least one of said elements may move in the closure member opening with respect to the other element for releasably securing the dust bag to said closure member and maintaining said bag in close proximity to the straight sides of said opening to prevent the escape of dust from the interior of the receptacle between the dust bag and said opening sides, said connecting means forming dust-tight connections betwen the outer sides of the holding elements and the adjacent po-rtions of the closure member for preventing dust escaping from the interior of the receptacle through corresponding` portions of the closure member opening.

5. A device as in claim 4 wherein the connecting means for the movable holding element includes aslide extending across the closure opening between said straight sides movably supported by said closure member, and a. spring connected with the slide and closure memberwfor normally separatingthe holding elements.

6. In a device for enabling the convenient cleaning of vacuum cleaner dust bags, a substantially horizontal closure member for the o-pen end of a receptacle, said closure member including a plate adapted to fit over the rim of the receptacle and substantially close the same against the escape of dust from the receptacle, said plate having a large opening therein and a cover extending into said opening for closing the same, said cover having an opening provided with substantially straight parallel sides extending inwardly from one side thereof, a holding member slidably supported by the plate for movement into and out of said cover opening and engageable with the cover for releasably holding said cover in the closed position, a pair of dust bag holding elements extending upwardly through the cover opening, said elements being spaced from said straight sides of the cover opening a distance at least equal to the-thickness of the dust bag at the open end thereof so that said end of the bag may extend downwardly around said holding elements into the cover opening, means connecting the holding elements to the' cover and to said slide respectively, said connecting means forming dust-tight connections between the outer sides of` the holding elements and the adjacent portions of the cover and slide for preventing dust escaping from the interior of the receptacle through corresponding portions of the plate and cover openings, and resilient means associated with the slide and plate for normally CLARENCE M. RICHTER.. 

